What's new?

I was so thrilled to read about a few successes in the recent ultra races… Several people I can only be amazed at for their successes. John Taylor 59 hours 11 minutes at Arrowhead 135 - he amazed me... I know what it is like to be at the back of the pack and find the courage to keep going... Inspiring! HOPE HE GIVES A REPORT? Karen is overly modest about he successes (27:45:02 in the Rocky Racoon 100 where Wayne Nelson did 12:16:58 in the 50 mile and then went back to support Karen). Although, they are all part of hard work as it does not come easy.

I have still not stepped on the scale. I am not sure when I will. I am more focused on the workouts and monitoring the diet. I am now up to 45-60 minutes on the bike at lunch, 60 minutes on the elliptical at least four days a week and three days of a weight lifting routine. I feel stronger but the clothes do to see to fit much different. I did get a hug and was told I am “less round”… Not sure if that was a compliment, but I took it that way. I will just keep on plugging along and I think the facts that I am more comfortable each week extending my workouts by 5-10% and I will let the rest fall where it may.

The thing of most interest, to me, was I got a phone call from an old friend whom I haven't seen for what seems like a very long time. She left a voice message at my work as I changed my cell phone a few years back and she no longer had my new number, but knew where i worked. I called her back and she spoke of about her recently getting engaged (She was in a long term relationship when we met in 2006 and I convinced her to consider other options as she was notably unhappy - she met her fiance in 2008 and said she is so happy), of her successful employment opportunities and of her continued desire to become a parent. As we spoke, I sensed sadness in all of this happiness.

She began to speak of how her father's health was hospitalized him just after Christmas. He had been fighting lung cancer (Mesothelioma). He was a demolition contractor and had demolished several asbestos filled structures before there was a known danger. She was angry that her dad did not show a will to fight for life this time when he was in the hospital and she got upset and said things she now regrets. She left the hospital room to cool off when her father turned and passed on… Telling me this, she was crying.

She was expressing her sadness for two things, what she said and that he was no longer willing to fight for his life. This caused me to be a loss for words… Those who know me know I usually have an opinion or something to say about anything, but this made me think.

Being older then she and already having my child grow (soon to be 21) I tried to think about what if I was in his shoes… I proceeded to tell her that one of the most difficult times in the life of many parents is that time when we see how great their children have grown into good adults and how we may not be able to continue in their lives. I explained one of the most frustrating yet rewarding things I have ever completed was parenting…

I continued to ask her if her father was a really wise man. She said the most intelligent and caring man she knew. I then asked her if he was running a 100 mile race, would he know when it was over? And if he wanted to quit may she say some things to fire him up and get him to finish? Some may not be the most flattering...

She said that he was well tuned to his physical well being and ability. Then I asked her why she questions his decision not to fight the cancer any longer, as he knew what she could not see or understand… I tell her I hear this often about people who are the greatest fighter of a disease, there comes a point when they just know, and come to peace with all they have done. And he knows that his decision would make many who loved him mad, so I would bet the words she left him with were not harmful but understood… As he was a wise man…

I asked her to look in the mirror and smile. Her father was watching and she needs to be happy about her pending marriage and parenthood. It will be a wonderful ride and she will have him and his memories as one of the best guides, and not to be sad, but happy that she had a caring father who knew what was best as a parent and a human. I could sense her smile.

She asked about my life and I told her I had to go, as there is not much to tell… She asked for my address and hoped we could get together soon… We hung up… I assume I will get a wedding invitation soon, but not sure when we will talk again... Not sure what it is about not keeping in touch with friends in this highly electronic world, but just as her father, I guess we wish we did something when we can not longer do it...

Carry on…